In my column last week, I asked you, gentle readers, to submit interesting gift ideas that could be purchased locally. I received four very good suggestions, so I will share them with you.
      The first came from Beth Sands. For the last several years, Beth, her family, and friends have been making and painting metal angels as Christmas ornaments. They cost $10 each, and all of the money is donated to the American Cancer Society by Sands.
      Sands had made these for a few years after she was diagnosed with cancer. A survivor by anyone's definition, Sands is doing well and continuing to give back to her community. She is also a wonderful artist, and you will love the ornaments that she and friends make.
      "They are called Paul's angels in memory of my mother-in-law Paulette Neal who lost her battle with cancer in 2005," Sands said. "That is how it all started, and we now make several hundred each year."
      The angels, and other ornaments that Sands produces, can be found at Anderson's General Store, Threads, and Doodle Bugs. You can also call Sands if you would like at (912) 481-3862.
      The next suggestion came from Paula Tompkins, an avid Georgia Southern fan. She and her husband produce a line of shirts, hats, and koozies with the logo - "AGING EAGLES."
      "We had this idea because we have a group of 'older' friends who we attend games with and basically hang out with, and we call ourselves the Aging Eagles," Tompkins said. "I thought of the eagle with reading glasses on the beak to denote our senior status. We are not Georgia Southern Alums, but we are big supporters ... as are many people in Statesboro who would qualify as Aging Eagles."
      Tompkins said their products are currently for sale at Deals on Highway 67 and at the Georgia Southern Bookstore.
Pegi Boatwright, owner of Awards South on Northside Drive, suggested desk accessories that can be purchased and laser engraved at her store.
      "In addition to those, this year we are adding corporate awards and gift items such as wine presentation boxes in beautiful wood finishes, boxed flask sets, boxed chess sets, golf and card sets which can be beautifully laser engraved," Boatwright said. "We also have the capabilities to engrave Cross pens as well as jewelry, knives, etc., purchased at other stores. As always, we can personalize most anything."
      Finally, Katie Stringer Page suggested gift cards from locally owned restaurants, house cleaning services, local hair salons, as well as her father's service station Stringer Chevron on Fair Road.
      "They offer gift cards for auto maintenance and gas gift cards," Page said. "Who wouldn't want that?"
      On a different note, I would encourage those that are able to attend the community workshops that will be held today to discuss the Downtown Master Plan currently being developed. The evening presentation is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and an open house is set for noon to 1 p.m. Both will be held at Georgia Southern's city campus E-Zone on East Main.
      Like these local merchants, our downtown needs your support.
      So, until next Tuesday, I bid you au revoir.
      Got a scoop for Jan? Call her at (912) 489-9463 or email her at jmoore@statesboroherald.com